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Royal River Corridor Study Yarmouth, Maine Natural Resource Reconnaissance Surveys

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Royal River Corridor Study Yarmouth, Maine Natural Resource Reconnaissance Surveys Royal River Corridor Study Yarmouth, Maine Natural Resource Reconnaissance Surveys July 2008 Prepared For TERRENCE J. DEWAN & ASSOCIATES WEST MAIN STREET YARMOUTH, ME 04086 PREPARED BY STANTEC CONSULTING 30 PARK DRIVE TOPSHAM, ME 04086 Royal River Corridor Study – Natural Resources – July 2008 Page 1 Introduction As part of the Royal River Corridor Study, Stantec evaluated natural resources present within the 1.5-mile- long study area. The purpose was to help inform the Study Committee in terms of evaluating constraints on current and potential future changes to development activities and zoning ordinances along the river corridor. As a first step in the study, natural resource information for the study area was compiled into a series of GIS datafiles by the Greater Portland Council of Governments for this project. Stantec reviewed and augmented this GIS information with literature reviews and searches of available databases, as well as through consultations with several state and federal natural resource agencies. Stantec then conducted a series of reconnaissance-level field surveys to confirm and map natural resources within the corridor, and evaluated protected natural resources in terms of regulatory constraints. Stantec’s evaluation of aquatic habitat and fisheries also included a brief evaluation of the existing dams and associated fish passage structures. This report presents the results of Stantec’s investigations of natural resources, and is focused on the following resource topics: Aquatic habitats, Fisheries, and dam infrastructure Wetlands, Streams, and Natural communities Wildlife/rare species Soils and slopes Each topic is discussed in a separate chapter with appropriate illustrations. Detailed maps showing wetland and natural community information are provided in Appendix A, and a summary table of applicable regulations is provided in Appendix B. Executive Summary – Natural Resources The Royal River corridor includes a broad spectrum of natural communities and habitats, ranging from a rich estuarine and salt marsh ecosystem to small freshwater perennial streams, from salt marshes to vernal pools. In the lower section of the river where it meets the Cousins River and Casco Bay, the Royal River corridor is characterized at low tide by a narrow brackish water river channel, extensive mudflats, fringing spartina salt marsh, and steep, forested slopes. With a 9-foot tidal range, this section of the river receives a significant influx of nutrients with each tide cycle, making it an attractive and productive environment for a wide range of species including wading birds, waterfowl, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and humans. Above head-of-tide, the river contains a variety of freshwater aquatic habitats between several sets of falls, which support a range of fish species. These habitats support a number of fish species, including several anadromous (live in the sea, breed in fresh water) and catadromous (live in fresh water, breed in the sea) species. Four natural and man-made barriers within the river exist in the study area, including two dams and two natural falls. From the downstream extent of the study area at head-of-tide, these include the Lower Falls, the Bridge Street dam, the Upper Falls, and the East Elm Street dam. In terms of fish passage, the Lower Falls do not present a barrier to most fish species. Although the Upper Falls may themselves be a barrier, there is a side channel to the east of those falls that would allow passage around the falls. The two dams present a complete barrier to fish passage. A concrete Denil fish passage exists at each dam, but these fish passage structures are flawed and do not appear to be providing adequate function. The structure and geometry of the bedrock underlying and adjacent to the two dams suggest that fish passage through the falls would be possible if the dams were removed. Stantec identified over 20 freshwater and coastal wetlands within the study area, as well as a number of small perennial and intermittent streams and two potential vernal pools. Wetlands below the head of tide consist of Royal River Corridor Study – Natural Resources – July 2008 Page 2 coastal wetlands including salt marsh, intertidal mudflats, and several small streams. Freshwater wetlands above East Main Street are dominantly floodplain wetlands and small perennial streams, although a large forested wetland was identified south of the Mill Stream apartments. No spring vernal pool surveys were conducted, and so the two vernal pools have not been confirmed as significant. Many of the riparian zones adjacent to the river are relatively undeveloped, and are comprised of upland woods, shrub thickets, parkland, field, and wetlands. The steeply wooded slopes are dominated by red oak, red maple, white pine, sugar maple, white birch, and eastern hemlock, with little to no understory or herbaceous layer. There are a few narrow drainages along the slopes. Additional small wooded areas are located throughout the study area and contain similar vegetation. Upland wooded floodplain areas and shrub thickets adjacent to the river also contain significant amounts of invasive species such as black locust, common buckthorn, Morrow’s honeysuckle, multiflora rose, Japanese knotweed, and oriental bittersweet. Soils and slopes along the river are dominantly clay-rich hydric soils that are form steep slopes and gullies and are subject to moderate erosion and slumping. Several landslides have occurred on both sides of the river downstream from the marina areas. Although a wide variety of wildlife were observed and reported to utilize the river corridor and its habitats, no rare, threatened, or endangered species were identified in the study area through desktop research or inquiries with natural resource agencies. Royal River Corridor Study – Natural Resources – July 2008 Page 3 Chapter 1: Aquatic Habitats and River Infrastructure Stantec conducted a brief field evaluation of the Royal River aquatic habitats and dam-related infrastructure between East Elm Street and the mouth of Yarmouth Harbor at East Main Street. The purpose of the reconnaissance-level survey was to characterize riverine habitats, identify potential protected natural resources, and characterize fisheries and existing fish passage structures. Survey Methods The study area consisted of approximately 1.5 miles of river reach between the East Elm Street dam and the East Main Street bridge. Prior to conducting a field survey, Stantec reviewed existing aerial photography (Greater Portland Council of Government, 2006) and available published information concerning fish species reported to occur in the river. A two-day reconnaissance field survey was conducted in mid-September 2007 during relatively low-flow conditions. The presence and conditions of habitat, fish passage barriers, and performance of existing fish passage structures were observed. Habitat Characterization Four natural and man-made barriers exist along this section of river, including two dams and two natural falls. From the downstream extent of the study area at head-of-tide, these include the Lower Falls, the Bridge Street dam, the Upper Falls, and the East Elm Street dam. A variety of riverine habitats exist between the dams and falls. The following observations are listed in order of moving upstream from head of tide. The head of tide is located under the East Main Street bridge at the base of the first set of falls. Downstream from the bridge the Royal River is an estuarine system with a fine silt and mud bottom, extensive mudflats exposed at low tide, and salt marsh fringing the harbor. The estuary supports a broad range of fish species, including shellfish, anadromous and catadromous fish species such as blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), alewife (A. pseudoharengus), American shad (A. sapidissima), and American eel (Anguilla rostrata), and a strong recreational fishery including bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) and striped bass (Morone saxatilis). The “Lower Falls” exist at the head of tide near East Main Street, adjacent to Grist Mill Park. Upstream fish access is possible at higher tides at this location. The bedrock outcrops that comprise the falls include a series of stepped and offset ledges that are oriented nearly perpendicular to the river flow direction, which appear to provide a series of resting pools and natural ramps suitable for a variety of fish species to use for Photo 1-1. Lower Falls at East Main Street, consisting of a series of passage during appropriate flow regimes. stepped ledge outcrops suitable for fish passage. Royal River Corridor Study – Natural Resources – July 2008 Page 4 Between the Lower Falls and the Bridge Street dam, riverine habitat exists with various critical fish habitat types include riffles, runs, and pools. A variety of substrates are found in this section of the river, including fine silt and mud, fine sand and silt bars, gravel beds, and ledge. A series of offset ledge outcrops are found in the river immediately adjacent to the Sparhawk Mill and extending up to the Bridge Street dam, which result in a habitat and series of steps similar to that found within the Lower Falls. The section of river below the Bridge Street dam is known as a good recreational fishery, with reported species including anadromous and catadromous fish species such as Photo 1-2. River habitat between the Lower Falls and Sparhawk Mill alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), includes riffles, runs, and pools. blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), American shad (A. sapidissima),
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